Township Trustees Association holds dinner
COSHOCTON – State Senator Jay Hottinger was the guest speaker at the annual Coshocton County Township Trustees Association dinner, held at the Coshocton County Career Center on Friday, April 24.
A delicious dinner was catered by Wendy Schumaker and her team. Special guests were introduced including the three county commissioners and several other elected officials for Coshocton County. Prior to the meal, Rick Raach, superintendent at the Career Center, talked about the upcoming levy that is on the May 5 ballot for area residents. The levy will raise funds for capital improvements at the school, including a new boiler, safety and security system, a much needed roof and transportation among others.
Matt DeTemple, current president of the National Association of Towns and Townships also spoke at the dinner, focusing on the healthcare aspect of township government and current issues with the Affordable Care Act in particular. More information about township government and this issue can be found on the state website at www.ohiotownships.org.
State Senator Hottinger used a good dose of humor in his talk, drawing laughter from the members and guests in attendance on several occasions. Hottinger, who is in his 24th year of public service, talked about the status of the state’s 73 billion dollar biennial budget, which has passed through the House. The Senate received the budget last Thursday. The budget is due to the Governor for his signature by June 30 of this year.
One item of interest is the removal of the population threshold for establishing a county land bank. There are several pieces of the state budget that allow township governments to move forward with technological advances, including accepting credit card payments electronically.
Hottinger spoke for several minutes on the impact of the oil and gas industry – especially with fracking. The severance tax proposed by the Governor on that industry is a key issue of the budget. Hottinger said, “Our severance tax is the lowest in the nation. I certainly believe that those companies should be paying their fair share – I have supported and I can support- a higher tax on those oil and gas companies – but it is important to not get it too cold or get it too hot, because these resources – there are 38 different plays around the United States – these resources are on all seven continents. The U.S. is number four.”
“These companies can literally drill anyplace in the world. There are reasons why they are choosing the Marcellus and Utica here in Ohio. A part of that, not all of it, is our current tax structure. If we get that too high, I believe as a business decision – that eight or nine billion dollars of investments will go other places. I think the Governor’s proposal right now is too high and I would like to see that come down.”
Hottinger also addressed pay raises for elected officials, “My personal belief is that if you take it outside the legislature, and you have an independent committee look at it and determine those pays, elected officials still aren’t going to get wealthy, but people will be able to have cost of living increases and have reasonable compensation for the work that all of you do. The House has to pass this and then it goes before the voters.”
Hottinger closed by thanking everyone for allowing him to attend and said, “Thank you for all that you do on the local government scene. We’re all partners in trying to make Ohio and Coshocton County and your townships the best that we can.”
The evening concluded with door prizes that were donated by townships and other elected officials in Coshocton County being awarded to lucky winners.
mark@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: Government
